Much Ado About Nothing Themes

Much Ado About Nothing is a Shakespearean play that portrays deep love, family betrayal, and the idea that your reputation is essential. The play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare can be compared to the Disney movie Tangled by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard because of the common recurring themes of deception and loyalty to someone that was thought to have been loved by the character

In the play, there are many family conflicts. Don John, the bastard, is the brother of Don Pedro. This makes Don Pedro more likely to believe and trust Don John about Hero's situation because of that family relationship:

“Don John: Means your lordship to be married to-morrow

Don Pedro: You know he does.

Don John: I know not that, when he knows what

Don John: You may think I love you not: let that appear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, I think he holds you well, and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage;-- surely suit ill spent and labour ill bestowed…..

If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know; if you will follow me. I will show you enough; and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly”(3.2).

Don John tells Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is disloyal. He says he’ll show them proof, and that they’ll see someone with her. Don John says he's just doing it to warn Don Pedro and out of only love for him and Claudio. Don Pedro believes Don John when he says this because they are brothers and family trusts family, especially in instances with the disloyalty of a woman that is to marry Claudio. There is also the idea of trusting family, for the reason that they’re family, in Tangled. “Rapunzel?

Don't forget it. You'll regret it”(Greno).

When Rapunzel asks to leave the tower, her mother answers in such a way that would manipulate Rapunzel’s love for her to make her trust her. Rapunzel grows up thinking that Gothel is her biological mother and trusts whatever Gothel says because Gothel has been manipulating Rapunzel’s love for her. So Rapunzel trusts her when Gothel claims she cannot leave for Rapunzel's safety and well-being. Don John and Gothel both lie to their loved ones about who they are for the sake of their own gain. At the masquerade ball, Claudio speaks with Don John. “Don John: Are not you Signior Benedick?

Claudio: You know me well; I am he.

Don John: Signior, you are very near my brother in his love: he is enamored on Hero; I pray you, dissuade him from her: she is no equal for his birth: you may do the part of an honest man in it.

Claudio: How know you he loves her?

Don John: I heard him swear his affection.

Borachio: So did I too; and he swore he would marry her to-night.

Don John: Come, let us to the banquet”